Electric circuit controlling appliance



April 25, 1933. J. sAcHs 1,905,001

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE I Filed April 14, 195o z sheets-sheet 1 0 yf/Mm.- Jpggm 5552.75

pri 25, 1933.

J. SACHS ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Filed April 14, 1950 2 Shets-Shee't 2 JE? Ver/ Ur Jasepz 555/75 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH SACHS, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Application filed April 14,

The invention relates particularly to electric switches of the double throw type, particularly fused switches, having two different closed positions adapted to provide two dif- 5 ferent circuit connections and preferably having a central or intermediate open position.

In accordance with the present invention I provide a fused double throw switch incorporating some of the advantageous features 0 which are set forth in my patents for electric circuit controlling appliances, No. 1,754,443, dated April 15, 1930, No. 1,754,445 dated April 15, 1930 and No. 1,757,743 dated May 6, 1930. A fused switch such as shown in the 5 said patents has two pairs of stationary switch contacts and has means for making and breaking the electrical connections between the contacts of the two pairs simultaneously. The two first mentioned patents show the two pairs of contacts connected directly in series with each other and preferably also in series with a fuse and serving to. make and break the electrical connection at four separate places; and the last mentioned patent shows additional wire terminals so that the circuit, instead of extending substantially directly from a contact of one pair to a contact of the other pair, may extend 'to or through some other electrical apparatus, as

for instance an electric meter.

One object of the present invention is to provide a switch of the general type specified having its parts so constructed and arranged that the circuit, instead of being closed or opened at bothl pairs of contacts simultane- `ously,`is closed or opened at either pair of contacts independently of the other pair. If

desired the opening of the circuit at one pair may be accompanied by the closing of the circuit at the other pair, or vice versa.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'a switch of the type specified having means facilitating a variety of electrical connections to meet diffe-rent requirements.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have 5 shown one principal embodiment of the in- 1930. Serial No. 444,050.

tive arrangements of conductors providing different electrical connections. It will be understood, however, that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specication being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an enclosed fused switch embodying the invention, a portion of the enclosing cabinet and a portion of the fused switch itself being broken away in order to show other parts more clearly.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the fused switch appliance shown in Fig. 1, the enclosing cabinet being shown in section. f

Fig. 3 is a right side view of the fused switch appliance as shown in Fig. l, the cabinet and the operating spindle being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views indicating some of the circuit connections that may be used with a fused switch such as shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing an alternative arrangement of electrical parts of the base.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view indicating one circuit connection that may be used with the construction shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing another valternative arrangement of electrical parts on the base.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view indicating one circuit connection that may be used with the construction shown in Fig. 10.4

The fuse and switch parts as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 are symmetrically disposed with respect to a vertical central plane. For the sake of convenience and simplicity of description I shall describe in detail only those 95 parts on one side of the said plane, it being understood that the parts on the other side are or may be the same in construction except for reversal of position.

. The appliance includes an insulating means 100 vention and I have also shown two alternawhich serves as a supporting device and is directly secured to the said supporting wall. This insulating means may comprise two separate members 2, 2 secured to the rear wall of the cabinet by suitable means such as screws 3, 3. Supporting elements 4 and 5 are connected with the said supporting members by means of screws 6, 6. There are also provided on the supporting members 2, 2, other supporting elements 9 and 10 similar to the supporting elements 4 and 5 and similarly he in place.

Carried by the respective sup orting elements 4, 9 and 5, 10 are pairs o stationary switch contacts 11, 12 and 13, 14. Each of the switch contacts may be of a general S- shape and may be provided with a laterally extending ange which engages and is secured to the corresponding supporting element.

For making and breaking electrical connection between the stationary switch contacts of the two pairs there is provided a contact means which preferably comprises two movable switch contacts 15 and 16. The contacts 15 and 16 are preferably carried by a single fiat insulating element or plate 17. The contacts 15 and 16 and the insulating plate 17 constitute a switching member, and this is preferably of the type described in my aforesaid Patent No. 1,754,443. The switching member as a whole is preferably adapted for rectilinear movement and as shown it is guided at the rear by the supporting members 2, 2.

The entire switch is .preferably mounted in an enclosing cabinet 18 which may be of a generally rectangular shape, being provided with an openable front cover 19. When there is a cabinet such as 18 a cranked spindle 2O may be provided for operating the switching member or members. The spindle 20 is mounted in bearing apertures in the side walls of the cabinet as shown. The spindle comprises a handle 20 on the exterior of the cabinet and a crank portion 20b in the interior of the cabinet. Each of the insulating elements 17 is provided with a transverse slot 21 which is lopen at the rear and the crank portion 20" the spindle extends through the slot 21 of'each switching member.

The parts are so related that, when the handle 20* extends directly forward as shown by full lines in Figs. 1 and 3, the switching member is held in its central neutral position with both of the contacts 15 and 16 thereof out of engagement with the corresponding stationary swltch contacts. When the handle is moved downward to the lower position shown in Fig. 3 each switching member is moved upward so that thecontact 15 thereof extends between and electrically connectsthe two stationary switch contacts 11 and 12. When the handle is moved lupward to the upper position shown in Fig. 3 each switch member is moved downward so that the contact 16 thereof extends between and electrically connects the two stationary contacts 13l and 14. Preferably the insulating element 17 of each switching member carries insulating buttons 17, 17a which extend between and friction-engage the stationar switch contacts when the switching mem er is in itscentral position.

Preferably there is provided an additional means for releasably holding the switching members in their central neutral positions. As shown this means comprises a resilient metallic strip 22 secured to the rear wall of the cabinet and bent to form a notch 22a into which the crank portion 20b of the spindle is received when in its central neutral position. Thus the strip 22 tends to hold the spindle and the switching members in the central position, but permits them to be moved out of this position by means of the handle 20.

Provision is made so that at least one fuse may be mounted in association with each switch. mechanism in front of a transverse plane at the front of the switch contacts 11, 12 and 13, 14. Contacts for two fuses in association with each switch mechanism are n'frequently desirable and are shown in the drawings. In Figs. 1 and 3 I have shown four fuse contacts 23, 24 and 25, 26. As shown these are adapted for receiving cartridge fuses but I do not limit myself to fuses of this particular type. For holdingthe several fuse contacts there is provided a base or fuse holding member 1 which is preferably mounted on the aforesaid supporting elements 4 and 5, being connected therewith by means of screws 7 and 8. The several fuse contacts are held in placei on the holding member 1 by means of screws 27, 27.

As shown the screws 7 and 8 serve not only to mechanically connect the base with the supportingelements but they also serve as parts of the electrical connections between the supporting elements 4 and 5 and the fuse contacts. These electrical connections may be varied, but as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 there are provided two single straps 28 and 28l which serve respectively to connect the screw 7 with the fuse contact 24 and to connect the screw 8 with the fuse contact 25.

Wire terminals may be provided as required in accordance with the electrical connections which are to be made, but in Figs. 1 to 5 I have shown two wire terminals 29 and 30 connected respectively with the supporting elements 9 and 10 and I have also shown two vwire terminals 31 and 32 connected respectivel with the fuse contacts 23 and 26.

When so required by the desired electrical connections, a connecting strap 33 may be interposed between the two supporting elements 9 and 10, being mechanically and electrically connected therewith by means of screws 34, 34.

' As already intimated the electrical connections may be widely varied. Fig. 5 shows one arrangement of electrical connections. As shown in this ligure, there are two separate or independent pairs of line or service wires A, A 'and B, B and these, if desired, may be regarded as connected with two independent sources of power. There are also" provided two separate pairs of load wires C, C and D, D', the `former being connected through fuses F, F and the latter being connected through fuses F, F. llt will be understood that with the connections as shown, the connecting straps 33, 33 are omitted. y

When the switching members are in their central neutral positions as shown in Fig. 5, both circuits are entirely open, there being no electrical connection between the wires A, A and C, C and no electrical connection between the wires B, B and D, D. However, by operating the switch handle to move the switching members upward, the circuit is closed at the upperoswitch contacts, thus completing the connections between the wires A, A and C, C through the fuses F, F. By operating the switch handle to move the switching members downward, the circuit is closed at the lower switch contacts, thus completing the connections between the wires B. B and D, D through theffuses F', F.

Fig. 6 shows another arrangement of electrical connections similar to that shown in Fig. 5 but differing in that there are only a single pair of load wires C, C', these wires being connected not only with the fuses F, F but with the fuses F, F. It will be evident that by operating the switching members as already described, the load wires C, C may be connected with the service wires A, A or with the service wires B, B as may be desired. With this arrangement the switch serves to connect a single load with either of two sources of current.

In Fig. 7 l have shown another arrangement of electrical connections which is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 5 but which differs therefrom in that there is but a single pair of service wires B, B. |The connecting straps 33, 33 are in place, thus electrically connecting the service wires not only with the lower stationary switch contacts but also with the upper stationary switch contacts. By operating the switching members in the way described, electrical connections can be established either to the upper load wires C, C through the fuses F, F or to the lower loa-d wires D, D through the fuses F', F.

Fig. 8 isa fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a different arrangement of electrical connections on the base. rlhe lower fuse contacts are entirely omitted and a single strap 35 serves to electrically connect both screws 7 and 8 with the fuse contact 24.

Fig. 9 shows one arrangement of electrical connections which can be used when the fuse contacts are connected as shown in Fig. 8. It will be recognized that the diagram of Fig. 9 is similar to that of Fig. 6 with the single exception that but one set of fuses is provided. lt will be observed that currentcan be supplied either from the service wires A, A or from the service wires B, B to the single pair of load wires C, C, the current in lither case passing through the same :fuses Fig. 10 is another fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4C and showing another arrangement of electrical connections on the base. The lower fuse contacts are entirely omitted. The fuse contact 23 is connected by means of a strap 36 with the upper screw 7 and the fuse contact 24e is connected by means of a strap 37 with the lower screw 8.

Fig. 11 showsone arrangement of electrical connections that may be used with the construction shown in Fig. 10 and it will be observed that Fig. 1l provides for the inclusion in the connections of the straps 33, 33. A single pair of service wires B, B is provided and a single pair of load wires C, C. When the switching members are in their upper positions, a circuit is established directly from the wires B, B to the wires C, C', this circuit being independent of the fuses F, F. When the switching members are moved to their lower positions there is also esta-blished a. connection between the wires B, B and the wires C, C but in this c'ase the connection is through the fuses F, F. It will be obvious that this arrangement as shown in Fig. 11 is adapted for motor starting purposes.

What l claim is:

l. In a fused electric switch, the combination of two similar pairs of stationary switch contacts respectively having oppositely facing parallel contact faces substantially perpendicular to a rear supporting wall, a pair of forward facing fuse receiving contacts in front of a transverse plane at the front of the switch contacts, means for establishing external circuit connections with one switch contact of each pair, means for establishing other external circuit connections with the other switch contact of one pair and with one tuse contact, a direct electrical connection between the. remaining switch contact and fuse contact, and a switching member behind the said transverse plane movable between the switch contacts ot the two pairs and comprising contact means adapted to engage and electrically connect the contacts of either pair while the contacts ot the other pair remain electrically unconnected, the said switching member thus serving optionally to establish a circuit through one pair of switch contacts and the fuse and fuse contacts or through the other pair of switch contacts independently ofthe fuse and fuse contacts.

2. In a fused electric switch, the combination of two similar pairs of stationary switch contacts respectively having oppositely facing parallel contact faces substantially perpendicular to a rear supporting wall, a pair of forward facing fuse receiving contacts in front of a transverse plane at the front of the switch contacts, means for establishing external ycircuit connections with one switch contact of each pair, two electrically separate wire terminals connected respectively with the other switch contact of one air and with one fuse contact, a direct e ectrical connection between the remaining switch contact and fuse contact, and a switching member behind the said transverse plane movable between the switch contacts of the two pairs and comprising contact means adapted to engageand electrically connect the contacts of either pair while the contacts of the other pair remain electrically unconnected, the said switching member thus serving optionally to establish a circuit through one pair of switch contacts and the fuse and fuse contacts orv -through the other pair of switch-contacts independently of the fuse and fuse contacts.

3. In a fused electric switch, the combination of two similar pairs of stationary switch contacts respectively having oppositely facing parallel contact faces substantially perpendicular to a rear supporting wall, two similar pairs of forward facing fuse receiving contacts in front of a transverse plane at the front ofthe switch contacts, means for establishing external circuit connections with one switch contact of each pair, two electrically separate wire terminals connected respectively with one fuse contact of each pair, two direct electrical connections between the remaining switch contacts and fuse contacts of the respective pairs, anda switching member behind the said transverse plane movable between the switch contacts of the two pairs and comprising contact means adapted to engage and electrically connect the contacts of either pair while the contacts of the other pair remain electrically unconnected, the said` switching member thus serving optionally to establish a circuit through one pair of switch contacts and the corresponding fuse and fuse contacts or through the other pair of switch contacts andthe other fuse and fuse contacts.

4. In a fused electric switch, the combination of two similar airs of stationary switch contacts respectively having oppositely facing parallel contact faces substantially perpendicular to a rear supporting wall, a. pair of forward facing fuse receiving contacts in front of a transverse plane at the front of the switch contacts, optionally usable means for connecting one switch contact of one pair and one switch contact of the other pair either both to one fuse contact or separately to the respective fuse contacts, and a switching member behind the said transverse plane movable between the switch contacts of the two pairs and comprising contact means adapted to engage and electrically connect the contacts of either pair while the contacts of the other pair remain electicall unconnected. o

5. In a fused electric switch, the combination of two similar pairs of stationary switch contacts respectively having oppositely facing parallel contact faces substantially `perpendicular to a rear supporting wall, a fuse holding member at the front of the switch contacts having provision thereon for holding two aligned pairs of cartridge fuse contacts, two electrical conductors extending through the said member and respectivel connected with one switch contact of eac pair, o tionally usable conductors on the fuse holding member for respectively connecting the said conductors with one fuse contact of each pair or for connecting both of them with one or more fuse contacts of one pair, and a switching member behind the said fuse holding member movable between the switch contacts of the two pairs and comprising contact means adapted to engage and electrically connect the contacts of either pair while the contacts of the other pair remain electrically unconnected.

In testimon whereof I have hereunto set my hand this th day of April, 1930.

' JOSEPH SACHS. 

